Stallion owners in the United States have the potential to increase their income and the number of foals born from their stallions each year by exploring the breeding industries in Europe and the Middle East. The equine breeding season for these destinations as well as other northern hemisphere countries takes place at the same time as the breeding season for the United States. For some stallions, the demand for their offspring in one of these countries may be equal to or greater than their popularity within their home country. This is where the exploration of a foreign market could prove to be beneficial. European countries send approximately 25% of the visitors to the SBS website. So if you would like to market your stallion, which was frozen by an SBS Affiliate Lab, to the markets in Europe and the Middle East be sure to post and/or update your stallion profiles on our SBS Stallion Guide.

Stallion owners in the United States and Europe have the potential to increase their income by exploring the Australian breeding industry. The breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere is winding down but the breeding season in Australia is just about to begin (September 1st). Mare owners in Australia are starting to think about who to breed their mares to, putting their barren mares under lights and getting their foaling kits ready. Stallion owners in the US and Europe may wish to explore the Australian market as a way to provide additional income during their “off” breeding season. Australia sends the second highest number of visitors to our website, so if you would like to market your stallion, which was frozen by an SBS Affiliate Lab, to the Australian market be sure to post and/or update your stallion profiles on our SBS Stallion Guide.

The international market for equine semen is ever expanding and with the use of frozen semen has become a reality for any mare and stallion owner. The export of frozen semen is a more cost effective alternative to purchasing and shipping a live animal. It is also a more practical alternative when considering the stress some horses undergo during long hours of travel by plane or ship. Most countries have written protocols for the import of frozen equine semen into their country. Here are some practical things to consider before embarking on this new endeavor.

One of the great advantages of frozen semen is that the world is your market. It opens up the opportunity to expand the bloodlines of your breeding program by incorporating stallions from other countries. Importing frozen semen offers an alternative cost effective option compared to purchasing and importing young stock with those desirable bloodlines in their pedigree. But before you rush off to search the internet for your next world class stud, here are some points to consider before embarking on an import of frozen semen.

The import permit and health certificate requirement for both cooled and frozen semen entering Canada from the United States is still in effect for the 2011 breeding season. In order to avoid shipping delays and additional expense to your Canadian breeders, stallion owners with SBS frozen semen should consider exporting and storing a limited amount of frozen semen at our Select Breeders Affiliated Laboratory in Ontario, Canada, Emerald Ridge Farm. Semen would then be immediately available to ship domestically to Canadian mare owners.

As of September 1st 2010, the USDA implemented changes to the regulations qualifying frozen semen for export to the European Union. These changes affect the specific timing of when the required testing must occur. It is important for stallion owners to be aware that in the case of the non-resident stallion, more responsibility may be placed on the owner for scheduling testing dates with their local veterinarian. A brief summary of testing schedule options are presented below. For further information, please contact your local SBS Affiliate Lab.